Anxiety drugs widely prescribed in the UK linked to 26% rise in suicide risk, study shows
The IndependentSign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People taking a widely used class of medication prescribed for anxiety, nerve pain or epilepsy are up to 26 per cent more likely to die by suicide, a study has warned. British researchers, led by Oxford University, have called for a review on the use of gabapentinoid drugs in treating young people after finding risks were particularly high among 15- to 24-year-olds. Suicidal behaviour and deaths rose by a quarter while people were taking a prescribed gabapentinoid, while unintentional overdoses were 24 per cent higher, head and body injuries were 22 per cent higher, and traffic incidents and offences were 13 per cent higher. Older age groups showed higher risks for some of these factors, but among younger people the risks were raised across all potential harms and were particularly high for suicidal behaviour and unintended overdose.
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Hundreds of alerts over deaths linked to antidepressants taken by Thomas Kingston
The Independent
Study says epileptic drugs could induce suicide
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